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Doctor insights on:
Inducing Labor With Castor Oil

1

Talk to your ob:
Castor oil causes diarrhea. In the process, it can cause some uterine contractions. It is not directly harmful to the baby. However, inducing your own contractions without the knowlege of your OB can cause problems for your baby and is not a great idea. Induction without a medical reason prior to 39 weeks is not recommended. Best to discuss this idea with your Ob before you try it.
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2

Depends...:
Castor oil is a great way to have a bowel movement. if you are close to entering labor on your own, the cramping from your colon may stir up contractions in the uterus and labor will go from there. IF you are NOT ready to labor, you will have painful cramping and diarrhea, some uterine cramps but not any cervical dilation and you will still be pregnant after it all settles down.
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6

I wouldnt:
I never recommend anything to induce labor unless it is in a more controlled environment.
Letting your labor naturally start is always safer for you and your baby. Unless of course, you are going too far past your due date.
I wouldnt take a chance with over the counter products to induce labor, .
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10

Evening Primrose:
Proponents of natural birth methods and many midwives swear by using evening primrose oil to help ripen the cervix. Evening primrose oil contains prostaglandins, which are used for inducing labor. It is said to help soften and ripen the cervix to help prepare it for the birth of your baby.
Evening primrose oil is more commonly used by midwives. Very few obstetricians employ this method.
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11

No:
Although castor oil might be safe when used for starting labor in pregnant women at term, it should not be used without the supervision of a healthcare professional. It is unsafe to use in pregnant women who are not at term since it might bring on labor too early.
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16

Yes, but won't work:
Seborrheic keratoses sometimes go away when massaged twice a day with castor oil. They look warty but are not warts. Honest to goodness warts are caused by a virus and will not respond to castor oil. Try Mediplast tape on real warts. Generally works well.
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17

Usually:
Oxitocin is often needed to supplement the natural oxitocin your body makes when you need to make more progress in labor.Once your water breaks, the longer labor takes the more chance germs have to ascend & infect baby & mom. Administration requires close monitoring & can be stopped if signs of fetal distress are noted. Un-monitored use can lead to tragic outcomes.
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